Buried but Raised to Walk

Buried but Raised to Walk

Romans 6:1–6 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” NKJV

Have we misunderstood grace?

In a culture where the word “grace” is often whispered as a spiritual get-out-of-jail-free card, the Apostle Paul confronts us with a sharp, soul-piercing question: “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?”

To that, he shouts in the Greek: “Μὴ γένοιτο!” — “God forbid!” or “Absolutely not!” This isn’t just a gentle correction—it’s a holy confrontation.

We live in an age where compromise has become comfortable and holiness is optional. Sin is often renamed, excused, or justified under the banner of “we’re all human” or “nobody’s perfect.” But beloved, grace was never intended to be your excuse—it was given to be your empowerment.

Grace isn’t God winking at your weakness. Grace is God injecting you with divine strength. It’s not a license to keep falling—it’s the ladder to rise again. It’s not permission to stay broken—it’s the power to be made whole.

Paul’s words in Romans 6 peel back the curtain on a powerful truth: When you came to Christ, you didn’t just receive forgiveness—you died. Your old man was crucified. Your sin nature was buried. And when Jesus rose, you rose with Him.

You were not saved to remain the same. You were saved to walk in newness of life—to live differently, love deeply, and reflect Jesus boldly.

This message is not for those who are content with spiritual weakness. This is for the hungry. This is for the surrendered. This is for the ones who understand that resurrection power isn’t just a theological term—it’s a living force within you.

This is your call to a grace-filled exodus from slavery to sin—into the freedom of walking in resurrection life.

So today, we’re not just talking about water baptism—we’re talking about graveyard transformation. We’re talking about leaving your spiritual tomb behind. We’re talking about the death of the old man and the birth of a new creation.

Let’s dig into this passage—not with casual curiosity, but with open hearts and yielded spirits—ready to lay every idol down and rise in the power of the One who conquered death.

🔥 Buried but Raised to Walk

True grace transforms us—It buries the old man and raises us to walk in newness of life.

1. Grace is not a license to sin—it is the power to live holy.

Romans 6:1–2 🕊️ Thought: “The true evidence of grace in your life is not how much sin it covers, but how much sin it empowers you to overcome.” Grace is not God’s excuse for your behavior—it is God’s strength for your transformation.

2. Dead to sin means sin has lost its grip on you.

Romans 6:2 🕊️ Thought: “If the old man is dead, then sin no longer has a pulse in your purpose.” You don’t wrestle with what’s buried. You walk free from what’s been crucified.

3. Baptism is not symbolic alone—it is spiritual reality.

Romans 6:3 🕊️ Thought: “Baptism is the declaration that your past is buried and your future is blood-washed.” You were immersed into Christ—not only into water—but into His death and dominion over sin.

4. Resurrection life isn’t just for heaven—it’s for now.

Romans 6:4 🕊️ Thought: “Newness of life is not a destination—it’s a daily decision empowered by resurrection power.” Walking in newness is not optional for believers—it’s essential for the witness.

5. Union with Christ means we mirror both the cross and the empty tomb.

Romans 6:5 🕊️ Thought: “You can’t claim the power of His resurrection if you reject the fellowship of His death.” Death to sin opens the door to resurrection glory.

6. The crucifixion of the old man is your liberation moment.

Romans 6:6 🕊️ Thought: “The cross didn’t just set you free—it killed what was holding you hostage.” You’re not battling the old man—you’re burying him with Christ. Victory begins where self ends.

When we accept Christ, we are not just improved—we are made new. The old nature isn’t just forgiven—it’s crucified (v6). Through baptism into Christ’s death, our old man dies, and in His resurrection, our new life begins. This isn’t symbolic alone—it’s spiritual reality.

Illustration: The Prisoner Who Refused to Leave

There’s a true story of a man named Willie who had spent over 35 years in prison. When he was finally granted release, he refused to go. He had become so accustomed to prison life that the thought of freedom scared him. The guards said, “You’re free to go.” But Willie said, “This is my home now.”

That’s how many Christians live—they’ve been set free by Christ, but they still live like captives to sin. The prison doors are open, but they stay inside. The cross has declared our release. Yet too often we try to resurrect the man Jesus already crucified.

Scriptures That Support the Message:

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) — “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) — “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”

Colossians 3:5 (NKJV) — “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth…”

Titus 2:11–12 (NKJV) — “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness… we should live soberly, righteously, and godly...”

John 8:36 (NKJV) — “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

Stop Resurrecting What God Has Crucified

Some of us are trying to manage our old man instead of burying him. We put him on spiritual life support—checking his pulse, visiting him every now and then, feeding him with worldly desires. But Paul said: “He was crucified.” You don’t counsel the old man—you bury him.

Baptism is not just about water—it’s about death and resurrection. It’s the funeral of the old you and the celebration of the new.

So today, stop returning to the graveyard. Stop feeding the flesh. You’ve died with Christ—now walk like someone who’s alive in Him.

Practical Conclusion:

You are no longer a slave. Sin has no right to rule over a dead man—and you died with Christ. Now live in the power of His resurrection. Today is your day to step out of the prison cell. God’s grace doesn’t empower your sin; it empowers your surrender.

Let your life preach the gospel—buried in death, raised to life, walking in freedom.

Closing Prayer:

"Heavenly Father, I thank You for the power of Your grace—not just to forgive but to transform. Thank You that my old man was crucified with Christ and that I no longer have to live as a slave to sin. Teach me to walk in the newness of life that Jesus made possible through His resurrection. Fill me with the power of Your Spirit. Help me bury every habit, thought, and behavior that doesn’t belong to the new creation I’ve become. Today, I declare: I am free indeed. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen."

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